Adjustable table



Feb. 8 1938. E. J. OUELLETTE ADJUSTABLE TABLE Filed March 25,- 1935 IN VENTOR.

50M. J: Ol/ELLETTE.

' AT TORNEY.

Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an adjustable table, primarily used as a book, magazine, or newspaper holder, but which may be quickly and easily adjusted into a bed table, and still further and quickly adjusted to a sloping desk position.

It is the principal object of my present inven tion to provide an adjustable book, magazine and newspaper holder, or adjustable table, such as illustrated, and which may be adjusted to meet practically all the needs of one who is confined in bed.

ther objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description thereof.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing,

forming part of this application and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved adjustable table as it would appear folded.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view as it would appear partially opened and in about the position for supporting a book or other reading matter over the body of a person in a reclining position.

In the drawing it will be noted that the device is supported upon a pair of leg sections, one of said sections comprising the legs |l, which are braced and held together in this proper spaced relation by the relatively wide brace member 2 and also the narrow brace member 3. The other leg section comprises the legs 4-4 which are held together in their proper spaced relation by the narrow brace members 5 and 6. These leg sections are pivoted together at their upper ends by means of rivets l; the legs 4 overlapping the legs I so that when the device is folded together the legs rest in the same plane; the bracing members of the respective sections being so spaced that they do not contact when folded as indicated in Figure 2. The legs 4 are slightly shorter than the legs I, which gives the table an appearance of tipping backwardly slightly, but the lower bracing members of both leg sections are so spaced that in practical use both of these bracing members are of uniform height in relation to the users body, although when the device is closed one of these bracing members is above the other.

The table leaf is indicated at 8, it being merely a relatively thin board of panel material, reinforced at its ends, and adjacent its lower corners is pivoted to the legs I as by means of the rivets 9. A hinge is shown at ID, the free ends of which are pivoted to the leg I and end of the table leaf. A lock nut is provided in the pivotal connections of the hinge to the leg and table leaf so as to cause sufficient friction or resistance to the adjustment of the table leaf to permit the user to attain quickly and maintain any angle desired of the book holder or of the table or desk. On the back of this leaf is indicated at I! a book or 5 copy holder, it having a right angularly disposed shelf at the lower end thereof, illustrated at 12, and upon which the opened book or magazine may rest while being read. To hold the book firmly at any angle and to permit the quick turning of pages of the reading matter I have shown a spring wire l3, provided with two coils therein near the ends of the wire to allow for the expansion necessary to embrace large or thick books or reading matter and to hold them firmly in position at any angle. One end of the wire I3 is looped or anchored to a heavier retaining wire M which consists of an elongated piece of wire, the ends of which are bent at right angles in staple-like form and driven into the ends of the table leaf. The other end of the wire I3 is bent in slightly hooked form to slip or snap over the other retaining wire l4 at the opposite end of the leaf and permitting quick operation when turning a page of the reading matter. Aside from its purpose as a retainer for the wire I3, the retaining wire 14 serves as a guide for the adjustment of the wire l3 to conform with the up and down movement of the adjustable book shelf.

As is obvious from the drawing, the book shelf or copy holder II is provided with a central slot through which projects a bolt upon which is screw threadedly mounted the thumb button I6, 50 that the copy holder may be adjusted to any height desired, or entirely removed.

In the position of the leaf shown in Figure 3 it would perhaps be about correct for supporting reading matter for a patient who is propped up on several pillows, in an almost sitting-up position. If, however, the patient is reclining, then the leaf would be pulled downwardly a little further so that the book would be maintained approximately at right angles to the line of vision.

It will be noted that there are pivoted to the ends of the table leaf a pair of relatively short legs 15, one being secured to each end, so that when the leaf is swung way down for use as a table, the legs may be swung and stopped into position and assist in supporting the leaf in said horizontal position, when the device is usable as a table for supporting the food tray, or for writing, etc., and at which time the device has a sixpoint bearing.

I have illustrated as an accessory for the device a combination blackboard and easel, which may be hooked over the back of the leg section 4-4 so that the device may be turned around, if desired, and the patient thereby have another means of pleasure or diversion to assist in passing the time. The reverse side of the blackboard serves as an easel, and the chalk holder on the blackboard side serves as the hook for the easel side and vice-versa.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An adjustable table comprising a pair of leg sections pivotally united adjacent their upper ends, a table leaf pivotally secured at its lower corners to one of said leg sections intermediate of its ends, and a book shelf normally held in adjustable relation upon the under side of the table leaf, legs foldably attached to the upper corners of the table leaf for support thereof when extended for use as a table, and horizontal bracing members on the same side of both of said first mentioned leg sections so that when the table is fully folded said bracing members extend from one side of the folded structure and the book shelf and rack from the other side of the folded structure.

2. An adjustable table comprising a pair of leg sections pivotally united adjacent their upper ends, a table leaf pivotally secured at its lower corners to one of said leg sections intermediate of its ends, a book shelf and leaf holder secured upon the under side of the table leaf, brace means for holding said table leaf in vertically adjusted positions, and legs foldably attached to the upper corners of the table leaf for support thereof when extended horizontally for use as a table.

EDMOND J. OUELLE'ITE. 

